Agenda item

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

RECORD OF CABINET DECISION

DECISION TAKEN ON

17 September 2007

DECISION NO.

07/01061

9.       Eastern Quarry, Watling Street, Swanscombe, Kent                                     

(Item 10 - Report by Mr Roger Gough, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Supporting Independence, Mr Adam Wilkinson, Managing Director, Environment and Regeneration) (Katherine Putnam, Environment and Regeneration Directorate was present for this item)

(1)       The Eastern Quarry outline planning application is one of the largest in the UK and is the culmination of several years of co-operation between the applicant (Land Securities) and the local authorities.  Through a combination of a Section 106 Agreement, Delivery Strategies, Action Plans and Planning Conditions, KCC has secured an unparalleled range of community and transport infrastructure.

(2)       During the course of discussion, Mr Carter congratulated the County Council’s officers who had been involved in the detailed negotiations which had secured for the County Council, a range of community and transport projects.  These included three new primary schools and a one form entry secondary school in addition to a co-located lifelong learning centre and a commuted sum towards the rent for space within the Health and Social Care Building which would be used by Kent Adult Social Services.  There would also be a on-site transport package for Fastrak together with substantial contributions for traffic management and public transport.

(3)       Cabinet:-

(a)     endorsed and agreed to the County Council’s continuing support and involvement and development of Eastern Quarry and in particular the continued development of the Community and Transport Infrastructure proposals as detailed in the Cabinet report;

(b)     confirmed the general authority granted by Cabinet on 21 October 2002 for the Managing Director of Environment and Regeneration (formerly Strategic Planning Director) to negotiate terms and the Director of Law and Governance (formerly County Secretary) to conclude any necessary legal agreements in respect of the development contribution function;

(c)      to grant authority to the Managing Director for Environment and Regeneration to enter into such agreements as are necessary in respect of Eastern Quarry to give effect to the Community and Transport Infrastructure schemes in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, the Managing Director for Children, Families and Education, the Managing Director for Communities, the Managing Director of Adult Social Services, the Head of Property and any other relevant Managing Directors and Cabinet Members, subject to the Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for Finance being satisfied with all the financial arrangements, both revenue and capital; and

(d)     support the principle of a tariff on dwellings to contribute to the Strategic Transport Programme.

Background documents:

Copy of the Dartford Borough Council’s Development Control Board main report and updated report circulated on the 7 July 2007; Kent Planning Officers Group (KPOG) Good Practice Guide on Development contributions 1999 and its Addendum 2001; Cabinet Report 21 October 2002 “The Development Contribution Function”; Cabinet Report 18 September 2006 “The Development Contribution Function”; Cabinet Report 12 March 2007 “The Development Contribution Function” and The Kent Partnership Community Strategy “Vision for Kent”.

September 2007

       date 

FOR COUNCIL SECRETARIAT USE ONLY

Decision Referred to Cabinet Scrutiny

Cabinet Scrutiny Decision to Refer Back for Reconsideration

Reconsideration Record Sheet Issued

Reconsideration of Decision Published

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO